Catheter system having a blood shield

Abstract

A catheter system may include a blood shield secured within a catheter hub. The blood shield may include a distal end, a proximal end, a blood shield lumen extending through the distal end and the proximal end, and an inner wall forming the blood shield lumen. The inner wall may include a narrowed inner diameter portion or a shield bump. The catheter system may include an introducer needle having a sharp distal tip and a needle bump. The introducer needle may extend through the catheter and the blood shield. In response to proximal retraction of the introducer needle, the needle bump may be configured to contact the narrowed inner diameter portion or the shield bump to pull the blood shield proximally out of the catheter hub. The sharp distal tip may be disposed within the blood shield when the needle bump contacts the narrowed inner diameter portion or the shield bump.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A catheter system, comprising:
 a catheter hub, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a catheter hub lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter hub and the proximal end of the catheter hub;   a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter hub;   a blood shield secured within the catheter hub lumen, wherein the blood shield comprises a distal end, a proximal end, a blood shield lumen extending through the distal end of the blood shield and the proximal end of the blood shield, and an inner wall forming the blood shield lumen, wherein the inner wall comprises a shield bump; and   an introducer needle comprising a sharp distal tip and a needle bump, wherein the introducer needle extends through the catheter and the blood shield, wherein in response to proximal retraction of the introducer needle, the needle bump is configured to contact the shield bump to pull the blood shield proximally out of the proximal end of the catheter hub, wherein the sharp distal tip is disposed within the blood shield when the needle bump contacts the shield bump.   
     
     
         2 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the introducer needle comprises a notch proximal to the needle bump, wherein the notch is disposed within the blood shield when the needle bump contacts the shield bump. 
     
     
         3 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising a septum disposed within the catheter hub lumen, and a septum actuator disposed within the catheter hub lumen and configured to open the septum, wherein at least a portion of the blood shield is disposed within the septum actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The catheter system of  claim 3 , wherein the distal end of the blood shield is disposed in an interference fit with an inner surface of the septum actuator. 
     
     
         5 . The catheter system of  claim 4 , wherein the distal end of the blood shield is tipped. 
     
     
         6 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the shield bump is annular. 
     
     
         7 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a housing comprising a barrel;   a needle hub coupled the introducer needle and movably disposed within the barrel;   a spring disposed within the housing; and   a push button, wherein in response to depression of the push button, the spring is configured to expand proximally and move the needle hub proximally within the barrel to retract the introducer needle proximally.   
     
     
         8 . The catheter system of  claim 7 , wherein a portion of the needle hub is disposed within the catheter hub, wherein a proximal end of the blood shield is disposed within the portion of the needle hub. 
     
     
         9 . The catheter system of  claim 1 , wherein the inner wall of the blood shield further comprises a distal cylindrical shape distal to the shield bump and a proximal cylindrical shape proximal to the shield bump. 
     
     
         10 . The catheter system of  claim 9 , wherein the sharp distal tip is disposed within the proximal cylindrical shape when the needle bump contacts the shield bump. 
     
     
         11 . The catheter system of  claim 9 , wherein the introducer needle comprises a notch proximal to the needle bump, wherein the notch is disposed within the proximal cylindrical shape when the needle bump contacts the shield bump. 
     
     
         12 . A catheter system, comprising:
 a catheter hub, comprising a distal end, a proximal end, and a catheter hub lumen extending through the distal end of the catheter hub and the proximal end of the catheter hub;   a catheter extending distally from the distal end of the catheter hub;   a blood shield secured within the catheter hub lumen, wherein the blood shield comprises a distal end, a proximal end, a blood shield lumen extending through the distal end of the blood shield and the proximal end of the blood shield, and an inner wall forming the blood shield lumen, wherein the inner wall comprises a narrowed inner diameter portion;   a septum disposed within the proximal end of the blood shield;   an introducer needle comprising a sharp distal tip and a needle bump, wherein the introducer needle extends through the catheter and the blood shield, wherein in response to proximal retraction of the introducer needle, the needle bump is configured to contact the narrowed inner diameter portion to pull the blood shield proximally out of the proximal end of the catheter hub, wherein the sharp distal tip is disposed within the blood shield when the needle bump contacts the narrowed inner diameter portion.   
     
     
         13 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein the septum is in an interference fit with the inner wall of the blood shield to secure the septum within the blood shield lumen. 
     
     
         14 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein the septum comprises a plurality of air vents extending through the septum and spaced apart from an outer edge of the septum, wherein air is configured to travel proximally through the introducer needle, the plurality of air vents, and the blood shield. 
     
     
         15 . The catheter system of  claim 14 , wherein the septum further comprises a slit configured to receive the introducer needle therethrough. 
     
     
         16 . The catheter system of  claim 15 , wherein the plurality of air vents are arranged in a symmetric pattern, wherein the slit is disposed in a center of the symmetric pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein an outer edge of the septum comprises a plurality of air vents to allow air to pass between the septum and the inner wall of the catheter hub. 
     
     
         18 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein the inner wall of the blood shield comprises an annular protrusion, wherein an outer surface of the septum comprises an annular recess, wherein the annular protrusion is disposed within the annular recess. 
     
     
         19 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein the narrowed inner diameter portion comprises a shield bump, wherein the proximal end of the blood shield comprises a annular flange, wherein the annular flange comprises a plurality of air vents configured to allow air to pass between the septum and the inner wall of the catheter hub. 
     
     
         20 . The catheter system of  claim 12 , wherein the inner wall of the blood shield comprises an annular protrusion, wherein the annular protrusion comprises a plurality of vent slots configured to allow air to pass through the blood shield.